When it comes to comfort, camping can get a bad rap—and we get it. Tossing and turning on flimsy backpacking pads over roots and rocks, getting devoured by bloodthirsty mosquitoes, broiling in your tent under the desert sun like a sweaty piece of brisket, eating cardboard-like dehydrated meals… We’ve all been there. 

But the truth is this: camping comfortably isn’t as hard as you might think. In fact, it’s as easy as pie. All it takes is some simple planning and the right gear. 

In this helpful guide, we’ll break down 13 gear recommendations, camping hacks, and tricks of the trade to help you live large, camp comfortably, and sleep like a rock on your next camping trip. If you’re new to the game or just looking to enjoy camping more than you already are, you’re in the right place.

1. Make it A Camping Movie Night 

Don’t get us wrong: we love to unplug in nature. But downloading a movie to your phone or tablet is a pro move on a camping trip, especially if rain is in the forecast. Nothing beats cuddling up with your adventure buddy on your Luno Mattress to watch a movie while rain tap-dances on the roof of your rig!

📍 Pro Tip: Check out our Cargo Hammock. This handy storage solution converts unused ceiling space in your SUV into valuable storage space. Plus, it features a built-in, transparent media pocket, so you can lay back on your mattress and watch a movie hands-free. 

📍 Another Pro Tip: Looking for more camping date night ideas? We’ve got you covered.

2. Don't Forget Your Camp Slippers

For cozy hangs around the campfire, after-midnight trips to the bathroom, and lazy mornings by the river, camp slippers are a must. 

We’re big fans of these ones from The North Face or these from Teva. They’re easy to slip on, have a grippy, waterproof rubber sole that can handle mud or snow, and they’re incredibly comfortable. 

You can thank us later.

3. Ditch Your Sleeping Bag and Bring Bedding From Home

Especially in the summer, it’s easy to overheat at night while snoozing in a sleeping bag. During warmer trips, we’ll actually leave the sleeping bag at home,* instead using Luno Fitted Sheets along with a blanket or bedding from home to cozy up at camp.

This is a win-win, as using a comforter or blanket from home helps you keep your camping costs low, while also injecting homey coziness into your adventure. 

*This is why doing your research is so important! Low temperatures can still be a concern in the high alpine during the summer, so you may want or even need a sleeping bag to stay safe and comfortable.

4. Airflow Is Vital For Sleeping In Your Vehicle

Airflow is an underrated ingredient for a good night’s sleep, especially while camping. 

An added bonus of our Car Window Screens? They’re made from a mesh material that lets in all of the breeze without any of the bugs, so you can roll down your windows at night and enjoy a cross-breeze. 

And if there’s no breeze to speak of, you can B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Breeze) with our compact Car Camping Fan. This little powerhouse packs a punch, running off your car jack or a portable power bank to generate welcome airflow on warm, buggy nights.

5. How to Keep Bugs Out of Your Vehicle

While our Car Window Screens will help you keep the bugs from crashing your slumber party, gnats and mosquitoes can make simple things like camp cooking or hanging out in a hammock a torturous experience. Be prepared for pests with bug spray, citronella candles, and Thermacell Mosquito Repellers, among other options.

6. Brighten Up Your Camp with String Lights

One of the best ways to make your campsite feel more like home? A little luminescence. Brighten up your campsite with our Camping String Lights. They’re easy to use and add a little twinkle, wild magic, and comfort to any campsite.

7. Step Up Your Camp Cuisine—And Maybe Bring A Sweet Treat

We’re big believers that eating well at camp is synonymous with living well at camp. In fact, we’ve dedicated entire articles to camp cuisine—check out our recent compilation of camp recipes and our guide to camp kitchens here.

Our main tip? Leave the dehydrated meals at home unless you’re backpacking. Car campers have the trunk space to pack healthy, nutritious ingredients, bring top-tier camp kitchen gear, and whip up elaborate, delicious dishes at camp just like you would at home.

And don’t forget a sweet treat! Desserts like s’mores or campfire banana splits aren’t perhaps the healthiest options, but they’re a delicious cherry on top after a long day of adventure and definitely contribute to the cozy camp vibes.

8. Fresh Socks And Undies Are A Must at Camp

Last and certainly not least, don’t forget to bring clean, comfy clothes (especially socks and undies) for hanging out around camp and sleeping at night. Changing into fresh duds is a luxury at camp, and because you’ve got plenty of room in your rig, don’t be afraid to bring some extra clean, cozy clothes!

9. Heated Blankets Add Coziness and Warmth To Your Campsite

If you’re worried about being chilly while camping, Ignik makes radical heated camping accessories that we love. You can add Ignik’s pads to your camp chair, outfit your mattress with a heated cover, or even invest in a next-level heated blanket. 

All of these heated accessories run off a portable power bank like these ones from Goal Zero, and they’re a treat on cold nights!

10. Pack A Mind-Blowingly Comfortable Luno AIR+FOAM PRO Mattress

The biggest contributing factor to a good night’s sleep in the great outdoors? A comfy mattress. 

All Luno mattresses are as durable as they are comfy, making them the perfect foundations for your camping sleep setup. However, if you’re looking for the most comfortable setup imaginable, we recommend our new AIR+FOAM PRO Mattresses. 

These revolutionary mattresses combine the unbeatable cushioning of foam with the adjustability of an inflatable setup, giving campers the best of both worlds. We offer AIR+FOAM PRO options for SUV campers, truck and tent campers, as well as special limited-edition models for campers with the Jeep Wrangler or Rivian R1S. 

No joke, we sleep just as well at camp on these mattresses as we do at home in our beds (maybe even better), and we’re so stoked to share them with you.

11. Block Out the Sun Like a Pro Camper

If you’re trying to sleep past the crack of dawn while camping, sunshine can be a real buzzkill. The same applies to road noise, chirping birds, and so on. Here are a few pro tips to block out sun and sound while you get your backcountry beauty rest:

• Invest in some decent earplugs. We’re partial to silicone earplugs. They provide much better sound dampening than the cheap foam versions, and they’re great for swimming or surfing, too. 
  
• Park your rig or set up your tent with the sun in mind. If you roll into camp in the dark, think about where the sun will be come morning. If you park your rig or set up your tent in a shady spot, you’ll avoid the bright, baking sun and wake up when you want to.
• Eyeshades are your friend. We rarely camp without an eyeshade. These simple travel essentials are super efficient and help you block out the sun.
• Add curtains and window screens to your rig. If you’re camping in your vehicle, it’s a smart idea to add our Car Window Screens and Car Privacy Curtain to your setup. These nifty car camping accessories help you keep both sun rays at bay and nosy neighbors from looking into your rig.

12. Splurge On A Comfy Camp Pillow

As we mentioned earlier, bringing bedding from home is a smart way to keep your costs low and comfort high at camp. Some campers swear by bringing pillows from home, too, and that’s a solid play comfort-wise. However, camping can be rough on pillows in terms of dirt and dust, and while blankets are easy enough to clean, pillows are much trickier. For this reason, we developed our Luno Packable Camp Pillow, which is purpose-built for comfortable snoozing deep in the wilderness. 

Our pillows are slightly smaller and much more packable than your pillows at home, making them easier to bring on a camping trip. Additionally, they come with an easy-to-clean, double-sided pillowcase that features a cooling, wicking jersey fabric on one side and a warmer polyester blend on the other, allowing you to better control your nighttime temperature. Factor in the memory foam fill, which can be removed to fine-tune firmness to your liking, and this pillow is a bona fide sleep solution for comfort-seeking campers.

13. Study Up on Camp Amenities Before Your Trip

The vast majority of camping advice stems from one simple tip: do your research. 

Now, this research doesn’t need to be extreme. We’re not expecting you to spend hours researching the flora and fauna of your destination of choice, or deep-diving on the geologic history of the mountain range you’ll be exploring. (However, if you do want to nerd out on this stuff, all power to you.) 

All we’re saying here is that if you want to be comfortable while camping, it helps to ask a few questions ahead of your trip. For example, what amenities will the campground have? Will there be potable water? What about bathrooms? And speaking of campgrounds, are reservations required, or is it first-come, first-served?  Not to mention, what’s the weather going to be like? Should you prepare for rain? What about snow or freezing temperatures? 

TLDR: When you approach a camping trip with an inquisitive mindset, you’ll naturally dodge discomfort by preparing for the destination, weather, and adventure at hand.

The More You Camp, The Comfier You’ll Be

There you have it: thirteen tips to help you camp more comfortably than ever. We know this list is by no means exhaustive, but we hope it helps you get out there, enjoy the great outdoors, and get a good night's sleep while you’re at it! Just remember that the more you camp, the more you’ll figure out what works for you—and the comfier you’ll be. 

Thanks as always for reading, and we’ll see you on the road!

–The Luno Crew